Friday, June 7, 2013

???? The case of a youth soccer coach charged with raping a former player took two major turns Wednesday..George ?Rico? Laise was hospitalized under mysterious circumstances after police revealed more of his former players have come forward, claiming Laise victimized them when they were teens.

"Three additional persons came forward during the night,? said Don Aaron, spokesperson for the department.? ?They realized that this is information needed to have.? Perhaps they realized they would feel much better by coming forward and letting us know what they know.?

Laise was arrested Tuesday at Harpeth Hall, where he was coaching a summer soccer event.

The first of the five former players to come forward was a Nashville resident and member of Tennessee Soccer Club, a traveling team not affiliated with Harpeth Hall.

Police said the relationship started in March of 2012 when the victim was 16, and continued through April of this year.? Now the search for victims has expanded into parts of Cheatham County.

"He is now in the justice system, there are very serious charges placed against him and the investigation is continuing," Aaron said.

Laise was hired as an assistant varsity coach at the all-girls Harpeth Hall school last fall after passing a criminal background check, but has worked with children for years.

"He has had involvement with youth in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area since the late 1990s,? Aaron said.? ?That is why we wanted news of his arrest to go out to the middle Tennessee community.

Investigators urge parents of former players to talk with their children, and call detectives with any information.More Potential Victims Come Forward in Youth Coach Rape Case - Eric Alvarez